Animal Massage
There are many benefits of massage therapy for both animal and owner. These can be broadly divided into the physical and mental advantages.Psychological Benefits.
Massage can be used in many different ways:- to calm a nervous animal. Nervous horses will become calmer having rugs or tack put on, and dogs will learn to allow certain areas to be groomed.
- to 'wake up' lazy horses or dogs before they are ridden or worked respectively.
- to strengthen and tone different muscle groups in working and non-working animals.
- to improve communication and the bond between animal and owner through hands-on contact.
Massage helps to fitten horses for different disciplines, and dogs for agility and working tasks.
This can help your horse with:
- more difficult movements such as lateral work
- improving the horses' jumping technique
- increase muscle strength and innervation which will allow your horse to perform more easily and comfortably.
- developing strength and fitness to work for e.g. shepherding, working trials, agility or obedience
- maintain strength and flexibility as the dog gets older
- Remove muscle stiffness and pain due to compensation
- Maintain muscle tone
- Reduce the damage after injury to soft tissue
- Aid lymphatic drainage to avoid joint filling which may occur during box rest.